Anti-Drug Conjugates
Antibody-Drug Conjugates, are specialized molecules designed for targeted drug delivery. They consist of a monoclonal antibody linked to a cytotoxic drug. This linkage allows for selective binding to specific cells, followed by internalization and release of the cytotoxic payload, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Applications
Cancer Therapy
DCs are most commonly used in the treatment of cancer. They target antigens that are overexpressed on cancer cells, allowing for selective delivery of cytotoxic drugs directly to tumor cells while sparing healthy tissues.
Hematologic Malignancies
ADCs have shown efficacy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
Solid Tumors
ADCs are also being investigated for the treatment of solid tumors, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. While challenges exist in targeting solid tumors due to heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment,
Features
Enhanced Efficacy
By delivering cytotoxic drugs directly to cancer cells, ADCs can achieve higher local drug concentrations at the tumor site, leading to increased efficacy in killing cancer cells compared to systemic chemotherapy
Reduced Systemic Toxicity
Targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs by ADCs helps minimize off-target effects and systemic toxicity, resulting in a more favorable safety profile and reduced side effects for patients.
Diverse Payload Options
DCs offer flexibility in selecting cytotoxic payloads, allowing for customization based on the desired mechanism of action, tumor type, and drug resistance profile